Does anyone know anything about Cockatiels?

[Rhonda]

We have a little cockatiel that we got a week ago. Today, he started sneezing and is going downhill fast. He's sneezing and wheezing and one of his eyes is swollen. He's lethargic and won't perch in his cage, he just sits in the corner on the floor of the cage. Or on our shoulder.

Of course, it's Sunday and no bird vet is open now. We tried the Emergency Vet, but they don't treat birds.

Do you think he'll make it through the night so we can bring him to a specialist in the morning? We're trying to just keep him warm and we're giving him bread soaked in water to try & get fluids into him.

 

[avdeane]

It is most important to get the bird to the vet if at at possible and as quickly as possible. Birds hide their illness and if you can see that there is a problem it is likely critical. Did you get the bird from a breeder? If so, call them for some help. Do you know how old the bird is? Has it been eating? Was it a hand fed baby? Sometimes a "just weaned" baby will revert back to needing to be hand fed again.

You are right to keep it warm. I am on some bird lists and I will go and check for some other ideas on what you can give him to try and get him through the night until you can see a vet.

Good luck and I sure hope the little guy makes it!

 

[RickNWendy]

I have a Macaw and, while she is much larger, bird sicknesses are common and have a common trait: they have been sick a lot longer than you know as the sickness is pretty bad once you start to notice it. Get the little bird to a vet- especially if there is one that handles birds on a regular basis. Also, don't let the bird get near any other bird you have (and you may want to call the vet first, to ensure minimal contact with any other bird- especially if there is a healthy bird that is only there for a wing trim...)

Hope everything works out well!

 

[avdeane]

Hi again Rhonda,

This is what I found that you should do...

"Do not try to treat your bird's illness yourself with over the counter remedies. By the time you know a bird is ill the sickness is usually well advanced. Delaying a visit with an avian vet and masking the condition with over the counter medicines is very likely to cost your bird its life. Until you can get the bird to the vet keep the bird warm (85-90F degrees), quiet, and in strict quarantine. Provide fresh water in abundance and offer its favorite foods. Also remove perches so the bird can just rest on the bottom of the enclosure. These small birds have high metabolism and few resources to cope with the drain of a long period of illness so every calorie and every drop of water they can take is critical. You may even need to hand feed to keep your bird alive while the vet's treatment does its work."


Again, I am hoping your little bird makes it!! I'll keep him in my prayers!

 

[mommytotwo]

Hope your birdie does better during the night.

 

[Micca]

From what I understand if you have them before 5pm you have a problem

 

[cassie]

Doesn't sound good Rhonda. You've been given good advice here, but please see your avian vet tomorrow.

 

[avdeane]

Rhonda,
Just wondering how your cockatiel is doing?

 

[monkeyboy]

Originally posted by Micca
From what I understand if you have them before 5pm you have a problem

I read it as cocktails as well

 

[Rhonda]

Micca - lol, I had no idea what you were talking about!! Thanks Monkeyboy for explaining it!

Pumpkin is holding his own so far. The avian vet gave us Tetracycline tablets, dissolved in his water. They make the water fruity tasting, so Pumpkin likes it!

This morning, he hopped right out of the cage and ran right up to ds's shoulder and started picking at his ear! He's still sneezing, but he's not as lethargic anymore. So that's a good sign!

Keep sending your PD to Pumpkin! He's such a sweet little bird!

 

[Big V]

Glad your Pumkin is doing better!

 

[Serena]

 

[epcotfan]

Glad to hear Birds are such sweet companions.

 

[avdeane]

Rhonda, I am so glad to hear that Pumpkin is doing better!! Thanks for the update!!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Glad he's doing better! Pixie dust & good thoughts sent his way!

 

[MinnieMe2]

So glad Pumpkin is doing better, and I'll send good health vibes to him.

We had a cockatiel for 12 years. When DS brought Trilly home, I wasn't thrilled. But she taught me that even the smallest of creatures have big personalities, and when she passed (while DH and I were at the World), I cried for days. Haven't brought home another bird -- yet -- but the corner where Trilly sat in the kitchen seems terribly empty.....